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Choose Your Back to School Classic

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Kids are heading back to school this week. To accompany their return we asked you to choose three children’s favorites. This week's Showdown was a photo finish. As voting closed, it appeared that Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra had won; a second look at the videotaped revealed that the Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals won by a snout. As a result, we played both pieces today at 12 noon.

I have always been rivted by p and the wolf, perhaps and not in the least, because I have such a clear visual of the story.. with the obvious villainry of the poor wolf doing its natural thing and Sasha the innocent...it has stayed and stayed with me.. I can feel the hunt through the forest ... so yes Peter and the Wolf..

I LOVE THIS PIECE! AFTER LISTENING TO IT IN "MUSIC APPRECIATION" AT HUNTER COLLEGE - I WOULD MOVE ONTO MY MATH CLASS - AND THEN HEAR IT AGAIN STREAMING THROUGH THE WINDOWS. IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN MATH :)

I voted for Peter and the wolf. Of course I have heard the Bernstein version before and enjoyed it.BUT, I would really like to hear the Midge Woolsey version. I saw and heard her perform P & T wolflast season at a Parlance program in Ridgewood, NJ. She was wonderful. Of course she had an advantage. There were children just in front of the stage and she was able to "play to the children".

Have always loved Peter & the Wolf. In the 70s and early 80s my Dad used to play it for me on an LP. It helped cultivate within me an appreication for classical music, it's many textures, tones, colors, moods and, of course, harmonies.

All three selections whenever played on WQXR stop me immeiaytely in my tracks. The very memories or Bernstein and his pedanticism along with much of my own early learning have led me to the Peter and the Wolf choice today.

Ordinarily, I would choose Alice Cooper's "School's Out for Summer," you know, something to look forward to, but I didn't see that as a choice today. So, I think it's Benjamin Britten who will provide the next best inspiration for everyone returning to school. I hope everyone has a wonderful school year!

I'd rather teach kids respect and compassion for animals, especially misunderstood and endangered wolves, so I'm not a big fan of stories like Red Riding Hood or Peter and the Wolf, although the music is beautiful.

For me Britain's piece is associated firmly with Kenneth Clark's Civilization, a documentary that changed my young life. I could not miss the chance to vote for it although my daughter would kill me for having not voted for the Carnival.

Well, difficult to choose only ONE, so I picked the one I'veheard the least, especially recently. I was an on-air personalityfor 8 years in Provincetown, MA and I always dedicated a programfor the return of the school, however, I did it the week before theywent to school so the kids got to hear it too. Thanks for thereminder, Ed

This was a tough choice. I have introduced all three to my children and my grandchildren and love hearing them any time they are played. However, I love the melody that runs through the Introduction to the Orchestra. Too bad the kids are in school!

Peter and the Wolf is so magical, with different instruments representing animals.. especially love the duck! Reminds me of my father and his love of classical music.. thank you for playing these today..